Korean J Pain.  2008 Apr;21(1):33-37. 10.3344/kjp.2008.21.1.33.

Superior Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion Block may not Influence Early Brain Damage Induced by Permanent Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

• Kim HH
• Leem JG
• Shin JW
• Shim JY
• Lee DM

• KMID: 1480643
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2008.21.1.33

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cerebral blood vessels are innervated by sympathetic nerves from the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of superior cervical sympathetic ganglion block in rats subjected to permanent focal cerebral ischemia.
METHODS
Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (270-320 g) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (control, lidocaine and ropivacaine). A brain injury was induced in all rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion with a nylon thread. The animals of the local anesthetic group received 30 microl of 2% lidocaine or 0.75% ropivacaine in the SCG. Neurologic scores were assessed 24 hours after brain injury. Brain samples were then collected. The infarct and edema ratios were measured by 2.3.5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.
RESULTS
There were no differences in the death rates, neurologic scores, or infarction and edema ratios between the three groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that superior cervical sympathetic ganglion block may not influence the brain damage induced by permanent focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Keyword

cervical sympathetic ganglion block; focal cerebral ischemia; rat

MeSH Terms

Amides
Animals
Blood Vessels
Brain
Brain Injuries
Brain Ischemia
Edema
Ganglia, Sympathetic
Humans
Infarction
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
Lidocaine
Male
Neuroprotective Agents
Nylons
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Superior Cervical Ganglion
Amides
Lidocaine
Neuroprotective Agents
Nylons